A Murmuration

Thanks to MysticVixen I came across this extraordinary piece of film. For the first few seconds I couldn't see what all the commentators were raving about, and then... well, have a look for yourselves. Extraordinary. I wish I'd been there.


Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

On an Acoustic Whim

Today I went off in the wonderful sunshine to see the Acoustic Guitarist of the Year Finals 2011 at the South Bank. It seemed a good way to spend a lunchtime and for the bargain price of only £3. This is the guitarist who won, with the song that quite rightly earned him the title. He was excellent.

Heard in the check-out queue

The woman in front of me at the check out said to the cashier, 'This is a replacement broccoli', and brandished a large head of broccoli florets. The cashier nodded knowingly.

Whatever could have happened to that first broccoli batch to bring about the need of a free replacement?

I will never know, but this link on the cancer-protecting benefits of broccoli seemed quite interesting. I borrowed the picture from here so I'll make a donation to the excellent Macmillan Cancer Support in lieu of picture fees and hope that's OK with the website.

Setting the tone for the New Year ahead - much more fun!

This should definitely be a feature on the London Underground. We'd arrive at our destinations in such a good mood. Roll on 2011 and much, much more fun than 2010.

Many thanks to the Going Underground blog for leading me to this. It made me laugh.

Nice jumper...

These are here for the knitting. Of course.

Seen giant size on the tube, on the southbound Piccadilly Line platform at Leicester Square.

Yes, I admit it. I laughed. A lot.

There was some other beef in the advert but it detracted from the knitting.

Broccoli?? Brussels Sprouts??

Something tells me this has been written by a non-knitter, or, rather, by someone just a little bit biased.

'A sewing up needle'?? Well, I suppose it does what it says it will do.

Best Blues

Best blue yarn 1: I had a request for colourful bedsocks for Christmas so cracked open my sole skein of the legendary Wollmeise yarn. Knitting with something that has grabbed the attention of knitters worldwide is always an experience to be anticipated. In truth, however, I get even more excited about lesser known dyers and always wish them eventual global success, but only after I've managed to buy some skeins from them first. Much as I applaud universal popularity such as that achieved by Wollmeise and Sundara, I am left a little sad that the yarns often then rise beyond my price range, especially with the extortionate Customs charges we are forced to pay on parcels from outside the EU.

For a truly wonderful exposition of a Wollmeise experience, look here. I admit to great envy at being faced with such a difficult choice.


Simple Skyp Socks
by Adrienne Ku (ravelry link)

Yarn: Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash; 316.3 yards (289.2m), approximately 0.55 of the skein
Colourway: Am Kalten Polar
Needles: 3.00 mm


Best blue yarns 2 & 3: Two dyers whose blues have caught my eye and imagination are both talented, gaining in well-deserved popularity and, I'm sure, about to go global. Just let me acquire as much as I can from them first...

Skein Queen:



DK Desire in 'Indigo Dream', 100% wool.


Sparkleduck:



'Midnight Purple', a laceweight in ultrafine merino with silk